I write you in connection with Notebooks for the
Grandchildren, the memoirs of Mikhail Baitalsky (1903–1978). I am
asking for your help in convincing the publisher, Humanity Books, to print this
book in an affordable paperback edition. Right now, the book is only available
in hard cover for $84!

The Notebookswere serialized in monthly
installments during the years 1985–1989 in the predecessor publication of Labor
Standard, which was the Bulletin in Defense of Marxism (BIDOM).
These memoirs were widely appreciated by BIDOM readers at the time.

Baitalsky was a Jewish youth in Ukraine who, with his
friends, became ardent supporters of the Bolshevik revolution of October 1917.
They fought in the Red Army during the Civil War in Ukraine, founded the
Communist Youth organization in their area in the 1920s, and became local
leaders, organizers, and journalists in the 1920s. However, when their
revolutionary ideals led them to support the Left Opposition against Stalin’s
clique, they were all arrested. Baitalsky himself was arrested three times and
served two terms in prison camps in the Vorkuta region, in Russia’s Far North.
He survived to write these memoirs. However, all of his friends perished or
were executed in the Gulag (the network of prison camps which at the time of
Stalin’s death held ten million or more prisoners, mainly on charges of
political opposition).

Baitalsky’s account is unique because of his unusual
background in a remote Ukrainian village and because he never stopped believing
in the Revolution’s ideals. In addition, because Baitalsky retained intense
pride in his Jewishness, he provides illuminating accounts of the deep
anti-Semitism of the counterrevolutionaries during the Civil War in Ukraine,
the liberating atmosphere of the Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary periods
when many Jews were able to play prominent roles, and the later revival of
anti-Semitism by Stalin and his bureaucracy.

I hope that those who recall these Notebooks from
the time of their publication in BIDOM, as well as those who did not
read these memoirs at that time, will understand the importance of making this
inspiring historical account more accessible to readers.

Unfortunately, it appears that the publishers have
chosen to actively keep this book out of circulation by consistently charging
an exorbitant price for it. Humanities Press began by charging $60 in 1995 when
the book was first published; and, as I said, Humanity Books—which now carries
the Humanities press titles—currently lists the price at a whopping $84!

I translated this manuscript and compiled all the notes
on my own time because of my deep belief in the value of Baitalsky’s
observations for future generations. I have consistently protested—until now in
vain—that the high price would doom this valuable book to obscurity. So far,
unfortunately, I have been right. Even though favorable reviews appeared in
several prestigious publications, I have been informed that only 150 copies of
the book have ever been printed! And it has consistently been listed as “out of
stock.”

However, Humanity Books has agreed to consider
printing an affordable paperback edition of this book if we can convince them
that there are people out there who would buy it if the price were lower. (Have
any of you out there EVER paid $84 for a book?? Do you know anyone who ever
has??) They are also interested in hearing from people who would recommend it
to their classes, help circulate it, find an audience for it, etc. That is why
I write to you.

I urge you to let Humanity Books know that you think
this book would interest you and people you know if it were available at an
affordable price (less than $30) and urge them to print a paperback edition at
an affordable price as soon as possible.

I realize this is highly unusual and I have protested
to Humanity Books against having to engage in such a campaign myself. However,
if this is what it takes to “free Baitalsky” from the dungeons of a bourgeois
publisher, this is what we must do.

I sincerely appreciate any attention you can give to
this matter and any comments or suggestions you may have.